1-20-00
DC shares his experince with a malpractice case .. for further information contact his
at: Lowback1@aol.com
Yesterday was a big triumph for the safety of Chiropractic. I had been accused by one
of my patients, that I had injured (ruptured) her L-3 disc on March 15, 1995. Because I
used only a specific adjustment on her L-5 level, and by using and explaining the
safety of Gonstead technic, and having fairly complete medical and chiropractic records
on her, I was completely exonerated of all charges yesterday, by being found
completely not guilty. It was a very stressful 3 day trial. There were many other things
to the case that were very important for your readers to realize they must know, have
and do to help prove their case, besides what I just mentioned.
1. We had documented almost everything that had happened on each visit.
2. I had made friends with the former Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery of
the U. FL. Medical School, about 13 yrs ago. I have also through the years referred
him patients with ruptured lumbar disc cases that I was unsuccessful in helping. He
also had heard me lecture on the specificity of the Gonstead technic, and how it
increases the lordosis of the lumbar spine during the adjustment, not decreasing the
lordosis of the lumbar spine, like the old general manipulation (the million dollar roll)
does. Therefore, by emphasizing that we increased the lordotic curve we felt and
proved that it was virtually impossible to rupture a lumbar disc posteriorly. We
emphasized that for a lumbar disc to rupture posteriorly, something had to have
happened outside the office forcing her spine into a flexed position, such as sneezing,
coughing, bending forward, val-salvo etc.,etc., etc. Our world renown Neurosurgeon
understood that, and made an unbelievable dynamic expert witness for us. Don't ever
under estimate the persuasive power of a great Neurosurgeon that understand the
specific Chiropractic adjustment.
3. We also had an expert witness that was listed in the Gonstead Study Society (as I
am) testify. He also did a very good job.
4. We also had a very experienced young lawyer in malpractice represent us. He also
did a great job.
5. Of course there were many other very important things that I did not take time to
mention.
Tell your readers to keep complete records of each visit.
John Kellenberger, Sr., DC
Gonstead practitioner of 33 years and proud of it!